Vandiperiyar: A 31-year-old man accused of cheating people by collecting large sums of money on the promise of securing overseas jobs has been arrested by the Vandiperiyar police from Mumbai.

The accused, identified as Arun Prakash (31) of Ashariparambil, Thadiyoor, Pathanamthitta, was wanted in connection with a job fraud case registered at the Vandiperiyar Police Station.

According to police, Arun Prakash had collected more than ₹4 lakh from Albin, a resident of Mlamala, in November last year, claiming that he could arrange a job abroad. However, despite the expiry of the promised time frame, no job was secured. Police said the accused repeatedly called the complainant to Ernakulam for purported interview-related procedures, but no progress was made.

When the complainant demanded a refund, the accused allegedly failed to return the money. After learning that a police complaint had been lodged against him, Arun Prakash reportedly fled to Dubai.

Under the leadership of Vandiperiyar Sub-Inspector T S Jayakrishnan, efforts were initiated to bring the accused back from abroad. A lookout circular was also issued at airports. Based on the alert, airport authorities detained Arun Prakash upon his arrival at Mumbai Airport.

A police team from Vandiperiyar subsequently travelled to Mumbai and formally arrested him. SI Jayakrishnan said the accused is suspected of having cheated several others across Kerala by collecting money on the promise of overseas employment.

The arrest was carried out by a team comprising ASI Nassar and Civil Police Officer Fazal. The accused was produced before a court on Monday and remanded to judicial custody.